West Ham will step up their pursuit of Maxi Gomez after an opening £25million bid for the Celta Vigo striker was rejected.
The Hammers have made Gomez one of their top targets as they look to continue their summer spending following the £24m signing of Spanish midfielder Pablo Fornals.
But West Ham face competition from Valencia for the 22-year-old Uruguay international and Celta Vigo are holding out for a higher fee. West Ham are now set to return with an improved offer. Gomez has a £43.5m release clause in his contract.
West Ham have renewed their interest in Gomez this summer after they identified him as a possible replacement for Marko Arnautavic if he left in January. Manager Manuel Pellegrini and director of football Mario Husillos have been keeping tabs on him since then.
Gomez, who scored 14 goals in a struggling Celta Vigo side in Spain this season, is currently part of the Uruguay squad at the Copa America.
